I would avoid using stretchy fabrics - there are so many non-stretchy ones out there, why fight with them?

Try using a fringe foot. I used mine to make fuzzy catipillars to applique on my kids things when they were young.

You might also look at couching different braids, make 3-D blocks, etc. Close your eyes when you are in the fabric store and forget all the "cotton" rules. Just make sure it is washable and won't come off if a little one chews on it (like some buttons and glue on jewels).

Applique them onto muslin blocks. Putting lots of textures in one place can be fun when you relax.

I love minkee because it is so soft, also chenille would be good, anythink soft even flannel. I would be careful in sewing some trim on as they might pull it off. I think tactile quilts would be nice for any baby.

Here are a few sites with info about tactile quilts.
http://www.rotaryquilts.org/project/Tactile_Quilts.htm

http://www.scvqa.org/ActivitiesSubPa...s/bbqhints.pdf

http://www.seeitourway.org/Archives/...ileQuilts.html

http://rlbatesmd.blogspot.com/2007/0...asked-for.html

I have just been asked to make a tactile quilt. I went to google and typed in tactile quilts and they tell you how to go about it. The person a want to do one for is a boy 12. I am also going to make pockets an put things in them. June Keelan

These quilts are also supposed to be good for Alzheimer's patients. I was thinking about this while reading the thread on how big to make a lap quilt for a wheelchair.

Thanks to everyone!!! All the input is greatly appreciated!!!

will all the pockets be in the same direction? Will they be half of the block? In the middle of the block? Please let me know your ideas.
Thanks

Another tip I just remembered -- using very bright, neon shades of orange and yellow is useful for those who have certain types of vision impairments (cortical vision impairments) as these are often the only colors seen clearly.

I also liked stitching a row of tactile trims into the quilt at intervals -- a snap strip, remnants of zippers, some interesting trim with grommets in it. These were handy for attaching toys or other small objects. We had a collection of bean bags that went with the quilt, so the child could play matching and memory games, finding the quilt square texture that matched a bean bag.

The pockets were fun for adding little sachets w. different scents (don't sew into the quilt, as they don't wash well). We also had little pillows, the same size as the bean bags, with sound makers sewn in -- you can put a jingle bell or two pennies inside a tictac box, tape it shut securely, and then wrap it in batting and sew securely into the little pillow.

RST